Banish holiday boredom
With the credit crunch in full swing there may not be so much spare cash to splash around on entertaining the children during the October school holidays, but Susan Welsh has come up with 20 great ideas for a free family day out
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TWENTY ways to keep the peace – and the pennies – under control:
1 The Gordon Highlanders Museum, St Lukes, Viewfield Road, Aberdeen.
October 11, drop-in between 10am-3pm. The museum is hosting a Big Draw event, as part of the national campaign for drawing. This free family fun activity will encourage youngsters and adults alike to put pencil to paper, and includes a range of drawing activities around the theme of camouflage.
Contact: 01224 311200 or visit www.gordonhighlanders.com
2 Free classical music concert, Cowdray Hall, Schoolhill, Aberdeen.
They say classical music soothes the soul, so what better way to exert a calming influence on the family than by taking them to a concert. The Vertavo Quartet play String Quartet No 1 in G Minor; Neilson; String Quartet in D Minor Op.46 Voces Intimae: Sibelius at the Cowdray Hall, Schoolhill, Aberdeen, on October 16. The concert starts at 12.45pm and finishes at 1.30pm, admission free.
Contact: 01224 523700 or www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
3 Museum of Edinburgh, 142 Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh.
Home to important collections relating to the history of Edinburgh, from prehistoric times to the present day. If you know the story of Greyfriars Bobby, you will be thrilled to see his collar and feeding bowl, and the original plaster model for the bronze statue in Candlemaker Row. Admission free.
Contact: 0131 529 4143.
4 Kylerhea Otter Haven, by Kyleakin.
On a nice day, this is a beautiful place for a picnic. From here there is a short walk along the forest road to the Viewing Hide. There is also a short loop walk through a nice area behind the hide which is a great place to view otters and other wildlife. Admission free but donations welcome.
Tel: 01320 366322
5 Autumn Round Aberchirder.
October 19, 11am start: Join the Banff and Buchan Ranger for a four mile circular walk from Aberchirder to Marnoch and back again through woodland and along quiet roads. An opportunity to enjoy the scenic and autumnal views as nature gets ready to sleep. Please wear suitable clothing and strong footwear. Everyone is welcome to attend; under 16s must be accompanied. Free but advance booking required.
Contact: 01261 813299.
6 Birdwatching for beginners, RSPB Vane Farm Nature Reserve, Kinross.
October 18, 2-4pm. This time of year is an excellent time to see the returning ducks and geese, which use Loch Leven as a safe haven during the winter months. Staff will show visitors how to identify the different types of each species in each category. Please bring binoculars with you if you have them.
A feed the birds day takes place at the same reserve on October 25 from noon-3pm. Admission to both is free but advance booking is essential.
Contact: 01577 862355 or www.rspb.org.uk/scotland
7 Bennachie, close to Inverurie.
The most famous mountain in the north-east can be explored at all levels on a variety of trails. Climb to the Mither Tap or stroll the fully-accessible sculptures near the Scots pine-surrounded visitor centre. The long-distance Gordon Way also passes by Bennachie. The visitor centre is open 9.30am-4pm (closed Mondays). Admission free.
Contact: 01466 794161.
8 Carse of Gowrie Orchard Festival.
Running from October 18-26, the festival features a variety of events across the Carse to celebrate the area’s unique history of fruit. Fruit tree planting and fruit picking will be led by the Scottish Children’s Orchard Project, plus there will be family days out to local orchards, and food and drink with a fruity theme served throughout the Carse area by local businesses.
Contact: 01382 433042 or visit www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk
9 Visit Culbin between Nairn and Findhorn Bay.
A beautiful coastal pine forest, planted from the 1920s to stabilise the drifting sand dunes. Walk or take a guided tour around 3,000 hectares of petrified sandunes where you can get up close and personal with seals and badgers in the same day. Well-marked walking/cycling trails throughout the forest. Admission free.
Contact: 01343 820223.
10 Fort George near Ardersier .
Fort George is said to be the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain and is the only Ancient Monument in Scotland still used as a working Army barracks. Attractions include historic barrack rooms, a regimental museum, gift shop, cafe, parade ground and battlements from where you may spot dolphins swimming in the Moray Firth.
A Historic Scotland property, children under 16 will be admitted free with a paying adult, during October.
Tel: 01667 460232.
11 Glenmore Forest Park and Visitor Centre, seven miles from Aviemore.
The park, close to beautiful Loch Morlich, offers great opportunities for outdoor activities, ranging from walks to sailing and water ski-ing, Admission to the park and visitor centre is free.
Tel: 01479 861220.
12 Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, Castle Wynd, Inverness.
A super wee museum and gallery with temporary exhibitions, authentic Highland weapons and lots of Scottish traditional and contemporary art. Admission free. On October 11, from 10am, visitors can join Cait McCullagh on an entertaining walk through Mediaeval Inverness. Cait will provide an insight into the ongoing archaeological investigations of the Old Town and let you in on some of the amazing and strange events surrounding the Highland capital. Museum and walk both admission free.
Tel: 01463 237114.
13 Tarbat Discovery Centre, Portmahomack near Tain.
A four-star museum in an old church in the beautiful coastal village of Portmahomack. See historic artefacts from the area, learn about the local history and visit the temporary exhibitions. Admission free to children under 12.
Tel: 01862 871351
14 Urquhart Castle, Drumnadrochit, Inverness.
One of the most famous and arguably the bonniest castle in Scotland, Urquhart Castle overlooks Loch Ness. With an excellent visitor centre and castle ruins to explore it’s an interesting day out for all ages. A Historic Scotland property, children under 16 are being admitted free, with a fee-paying adult, during October.
The Kids Go Free Promotions also includes: Balvenie Castle at Dufftown; Corgarff Castle at Strathdon; Dallas Dhu distillery at Forres, Elgin Cathedral, Huntly Castle, Kildrummy Castle, Spynie Palace near Elgin and Tolquhon Castle at Tarves.
Contact: 01456 450551 (Urquhart Castle) or log on to www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
15 Tyrebagger Woods between Blackburn and Dyce, near Aberdeen.
The Tyrebagger has waymarked footpath walks around the four hills area. Look out too for sculptures including the Bison, the most natural looking of the sculptures, and for the Fallen Angel positioned high above your head.
Horse riders and cyclists can use the facilities on the other side of the dual carriageway in Kirkhill. Admission free.
Contact: 01330 844537.
16 Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Duke’s Pass, Aberfoyle.
The visitor centre is the best place to start exploring Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. This impressive building offers some of the most spectacular views in the area, including a stunning view across Loch Ard Forest to Ben Lomond. There are great walks from the centre, including the Highland Boundary Fault trail, a fantastic play area and a wildlife station with CCTV viewing of ospreys, blue tits and many more species (depending on the season). Admission free.
Contact: 01877 382383.
17 Museum of Childhood, Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh.
Described as ‘the noisiest museum in the world’, the Museum of Childhood is a favourite with adults and children alike. It is a treasure house, crammed full of objects telling of childhood, past and present. Admission free.
Contact: 0131 529 4142.
18 Queensferry Museum, High Street, South Queensferry.
Situated in the historic former royal burgh of Queensferry, the museum commands magnificent views of the two great bridges spanning the Forth. Its collections trace the history of the people of Queensferry and Dalmeny, the historic ferry passage to Fife, the building of the road and rail bridges, and the wildlife of the Forth estuary. Admission free.
Contact: 0131 331 5545.
19 Maggie’s Hoosie, Shore Street, Inverallochy, Fraserburgh.
Get a flavour of the old days by taking the family to visit this unique preserved fisher cottage situated close to the rocky shores of Inverallochy and Cairnbulg. Throughout many decades of change the hoosie has survived as a timeless reminder of a bygone age. A tour guide shows you round the rooms and gives a talk about the village fishing community in bygone years, Maggie’s family and Maggie and her hoosie. Admission free to children under 12. Viewing by appointment only on 01346 583235 or 01346 582654.
20 Maritime Museum, Shiprow, Aberdeen.
A superb place to spend a few hours, the Maritime Museum tells the story of Aberdeen’s long relationship with the sea. This award-winning museum houses a unique collection covering shipbuilding, fast sailing ships, fishing and port history, and is the only place in the UK where you can see displays on the North Sea oil industry. Aberdeen Maritime Museum also offers a spectacular viewpoint over the busy harbour. Admission is free, as it is to other Aberdeen attractions including the Art Gallery and Provost Skene’s House.
Contact: 01224 337700.
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